Fall 2018
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“The length of the rod that I use will depend on the casts that I have to make,” explained Lane. “If I am fishing close and looking to hit specific targets, I will opt to use my 7’2” Denali AttaX rod; but if I need to make long casts out on the flats or on the weed edges, I will opt to use a Denali Lithium 7’11” cranking rod to get a longer cast and to get my rod tip closer to the water’s surface. For every foot you have your rod tip above the water’s surface, it is a foot that your bait is up off of the bottom. Also, when fishing weed edges with a longer rod, I can move more line.”
Lane pairs his rod with a reel in the 5-4:1 ratio that is spooled with either 10- or 14-poune Sunline Crank FC.
“I will change my line size according to the fishing situation that I am in,” he noted. “If I am up on the flat and I need to control the depth of my bait, I will opt for the
14-pound Crank FC. If I need to get a few more feet out of my bait, I will opt for the 10-pound Crank.”
So, don’t be so quick to put the boat away as the leaves start to drop and signal that fall is in the air. That seasonal marker is one that tell us the bass are going to put on the feed bag to get ready for winter. Take advantage of their heavy feeding activity with a bait that covers water – a crankbait. •
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